Malaysians reacted with a tirade of anger after the Malay-language Berita Harian daily newspaper published the cartoon Sunday. Critics vented on Twitter and Facebook and some politicians called for a boycott of the paper.

The apology issued on the paper’s website and on social newtworking sites said Berita Harian had “no intention of poking fun” at the disastrous earthquake and tsunami that hit Japan on Friday.

The newspaper expressed sympathy and said it shared “the sorrow of the Japanese people.”